The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-08
BEEcHER'S coNpITIoN.
The Celebrated Preacher Slowly
Passing Away.
No Hope of Recovery Entertained by
His Physicians.
His Sickness Not Attended With Any
Suffering.
Letter from Mrs. Beecher to Mem
bers of the Church.

New YORK, March 1T was a weary
night that the members of the Beecher
household in Brooklyn passed last night.
One by one they would silently move in and
out of the sick chamber, taking turns at
dreary vigil. DR.. Searles was at the post of
duty without intermission until nearly
o'clock when he retired to his home.
Mrs. Beecher kept watch over the sick
man most of the night, fearing that he
might pass away in her absence. She took,
however, a few hours rest in the adjoining
room, but she left word to be called the in
slant the slightest change in her husbands
condition was noted. Colonel Beecher, who
lives in the house with his family, was also
ready at moments notice to go to his
fathers bedside, should the last come, but
this summons did not reach him. He
remained beside the bed for few
hours while his mother took little repose,
but the wife did not remain long away from
her husbands side, and as day broke she
was again in the sick chamber.
All day yesterday and until midnight the
ofticer on duty at the door of the house was
kept busy answering the queries Of friends
and strangers. For hours the people stood
In the cold. damp weather looking at the
house, and it was not until the lights in the
windows were lowered that the crowd
dispersed. Even as late as l O'Clock people
climbed up the steps and tried to read the
last bulletin.
Major Pond was in the house during the
night. He told the circumstances connected
with Mr.. Beecher's daily occupation just
previous to the attack with considerable
feeling. He said that Mr.. Beecher only on
Tuesday last told him how strong he felt
and how glad he was that he would be able
to complete his book in time for the publca-
ton and what pleasure he found in writing
the work.
All this morning from just before daylight
crowd was collected in front of the Beecher
residence, early scanning the latest bulletin
DR.. Searle, at 1890, stated that no change
in Mr.. Beecher's condition has taken place
since early morning.
Rev. DR.. Henry Jacobs, of the Jewish
Ministers. Association, called at the house
room. After looking upon the form of the
divine he sighed and left the room.
A few minutes after, Col H. B. Beecher
left the house to go to his Office for a short
time, which would indicate that there was
no immediate danger at that time. The sick
man is being cared for by a professional
nurse named Reardon. He says Mr.. Beech
er's pulse and temperature was the same as
at the first. He lies perfectly quiet. His
breathing is heavy and quick.
The Plymouth Church committee will hold
a meeting tonight to make such arrange
ments as may be necessary.
AT 11.25 O'Clock DR.. Searle returned to the
house. Before entering he said he would
issue a bulletin at noon. He did not expect
any change in Mr.. Beecher's condition. Life
of those who have seen Mr.. Beecher 1t is
evident that the end is not far off.
A bulletin was issued at noon stating
that the condition of Mr.. Beecher at that
hour was not essentially changed from that
given to the press last evening. The only
changes perceptlble were an increase in the
rapidlty of the pulse and respiration. These
symptoms indicate the gradual failure of
vitality which had been anticipated and the
consequent approach of the end. This course
of disease can only be changed by an occur
renee of hemorrhage, which may or NAV
not happen, and the time of which cannot be
surmised. There were no reasons, the bull
letin said, for believing that fatal issue
would occur today.
A telegram was received from Mrs. Harri-
ct Beecher Stowe who is in Florida, stating
that she was i'll and was not able to come.
kilograms have also been received from
Thomas X. Beecher, who is on his way from
Elmira, and from Charles Beecher, in Flori-
da. They will be with the family as soon
as possible.
The last bulletin issued this afternoon was
at o'clock Mr.. Beecher's pulse was lit
tie more rapid, but otherwise there was no
perceptible change.
Augustus Storrs called before supper time
and was in the sick room for short time.
On leaving the house he said he thought Mr..
Beecher wonld not live through the night.
At $40 o'clock DR.. Searle left the house to
go home to his supper. He said Mr.. Beech
er's pulse had increased considerably. and
he is gradually growing weaker.
Il think he is entirely unconscious, al
though some Of the members of the family
seem to think he recognizes them when they
press his hand. He may live through the
night, and then he may die before morning.
DR.. Searle returned to the house at $50
o'clock.
DIR. Searle issued the following bulletin at
s O'Clock p. m.: This dag in the history of
Mr.. Beecher's sickness has been marked by
frequent fluctuations within narrow limits.
The rate of neither pulse, nor temperature,
nor respiration, has long been constant. The
pulse has on the whole increased in rapidity,
once rising to ia, and now marking ITO.
The rate of respiration is now 40. The tenn
perature has varied between 10l and its
present point, 99i. In general it may be
said that his condition is worse than at any
previous time: The character. of the pulse
indicates failure of heart power. The
respirati0ns have increased in frequency and
are more impeded by greater accumulations
of mucuS trechea than yesterday, though
not to so great a degree as Saturday fore
noon. The temperature, taken every two
cessive occasions. 1t is impossible to con-
clude with any approach to a certainty
whether death will comelby asphyxia, from
the failure of respiratory centres, or from
paralysis of the heart, or both, or as before
stated, from recurrence of hemorrhage.
1t is therefore obviously Impossible to indi-
cate the probable line of termination of the
disease. 1t is, however, the opinion Of the
physician that the limit will not be reached
tonight. 1t is unnecessary to add that Mr.
Beecher Is entirely unconscious and suffers
no pain. Doubtless his condition is that OF
one in a troubled dream
The 10 O'Clock bulletin was as follows
Mr.. Beecher is slowly failing, but we do not
think he will die tonight.
AT 1890 o'clock the House was closed fol
the night
The meeting in Plymouth Church lecture
room tonight was crowded by members OF
the congregation, and few friends from
other churches The gathering was q tear
full one fIom the opening to the close. The
| following letter from Mrs. Beecher wa:
| read by Professor Raymond:
| To the Beloved Members of Plymouth Church.
cannot speak my thanks to each one Of you
| for the sympathy and love and devotion mani
| tested in these last dark sad days for your pas
| tor. He can no longer speak to You for himself
| Then permit me to do it for him, for myself, fol
| my family. Each word of love from the people s.
| dear to your pastors heart has been comfort
and balm to a heart wrung amost to bursting
| How he loved his church you will only learn In
It's fullneSS when you stand with him in heaven
| To each and every one of you my earnest thanks
! and most earnest blessing. Pray for his wife am
| children, soon TO lose the truest companion, tn
| tenderest father and if we must relinquish al
| possible hope OF his full recovery, oh! beloved
| pray that his departure may be speedy, that w
| may not long be agonized by this struggle bt
| tween life and death. Pray that if he must leav
| us that before another day he may receive hi
EUNIcE n BEEcHER.
The meeting closed with the benedictio
pronounced by Mr.. Halliday. Another sin
liar meeting will be held tomorrow night.
BROOKLYN, March 7.-(Midnight) TIL
friends of Mr.. Beecher have been summone
to his bedside. The end seems to be aI
preaching.
Major Pond announced at IL. 80 o'clock tlls
the family were gathered about the sic
mans bedside. His condition at that tim
was more critical than it had been befor
| durinO auv mart of the dav LIGHTS annaa ra